Bigger isn’t always better — except when it comes to food. Friends, family and former coworkers know Linda Ace for her baking but, furthermore, for the huge batches and massive treats she whips up.
(read more)

Love of food and cooking runs in the Phillips family. So, it’s no surprise that siblings Gina and Drew Phillips created a dish that revolves around one of the most celebrated family holidays (and Local Flavor’s favorite), Thanksgiving.
(read more)

Article Tools

special to the times-tribune
Scranton based original and cover band Nowhere Slow has become an icon in the local music scene since forming in 2002. Members of the band include, sitting, Tommy Wynder, drums and percussion; in the air from left, John Canjar, vocals and lead guitar; Rick Gillette, guitar and lead vocals; and William Clauss, bass guitar.

For many bands and musicians, dreams of a sold-out concert full of thousands of fans, a Rolling Stone cover and a chart-topping single are the engines that drive their career.

But, for Scranton-based band Nowhere Slow, the dream is to live in the moment.

Named after the old Bloodhound Gang song "Going Nowhere Slow," the band formed in 2002 and originally consisted of guitarist and lead vocalist Rick Gillette, bass guitarist William Clauss, vocalist and lead guitarist John Canjar and drummer Matt Kester. In August of 2012, Tommy Wynder took over on drums and percussion when Mr. Kester decided to pursue a career with another touring local band.

Mr. Wynder said he felt an instantaneous kinship with the band.

"It's probably the easiest it's ever been and the happiest I've ever been with a band," Mr. Wynder said. "Being the new guy in a band where the rest of the members of the band have a long history is intimidating, but from day one it was like how bands used to be. We are friends, we hang out and all that other stuff."

All about chemistry

The members of Nowhere Slow said the proof of their chemistry is apparent on the stage and on their newest album, which they are currently recording. To date, the band has put out three albums - 2004's "Two Weeks," 2007's "Stranger In The Alps" and 2010's "Listen/Love."

In addition to the band's albums, Mr. Canjar released a solo album in 2009 entitled "Chamber Music."

"The most important thing is that you feel great about it when it's all done. I've never recorded anything that I was completely happy with because it was rushed and I settled with the final product," Mr. Canjar said. "Personally, I think this time because we are taking it slow and not rushing, this might be our best album."

Good collaboration

Although Mr. Gillette and Mr. Canjar begins the process of writing for most songs, the band continuously communicates through email, text or other means in order to make sure each member and his style is represented.

"It's like asking the question, 'Who builds the house?' You know Rick and John add a lot of the foundation and framework and then Tommy and I come in and help build upon that foundation," Mr. Clauss said.

The mixture of different styles and musical tastes help enrich the quality and sound of the band and gives Nowhere Slow its unique identity. Mr. Gillette has a knack for hooks and melody along with his taste in pop music. Mr. Canjar brought along his roots in jam and classic rock. The band added a harder side to the music when they added Mr. Clauss' heavy rock edge to their music. Mr. Wynder includes his fierce drumming techniques and love of 70s' soul music to the mix.

Due to Nowhere Slow's popularity in Northeast Pennsylvania, the band has played many if not all of the major venues in the local area, but one venue in Scranton reminds them of where they got their start.

"I still love Heil's. It's where we got our start and it feels like home in some way," Mr. Gillette said. "We hung out there so much that we know everyone there, we feel comfortable there and for some reason we always sound the best there."

The band has served the community by serving as live entertainment for about 20 charity events a year such as Concert for a Cause, the Rockin' Out Rett Syndrome Benefit and Voices Against Violence.

Since first coming together, the band has evolved and matured, not unlike themselves as individuals.

"We are able to anticipate things more and fix issues when they arise, opposed to back then when we would be scared because we didn't know how to solve the problem," Mr. Clauss said.

"Also, musically it has become really easy to read each other, to notice when you are reacting to each other," Mr. Canjar said. "Even over the course of a few months with Tommy, I have that same connection. I'll play a guitar riff and he'll answer right back."

The band believes that a connection amongst themselves is important, but that a connection between themselves and their audience is essential.

"We don't know why we have been lucky enough to do this as long as we have, especially considering all the bands we have seen go along the way. But, we are grateful to be so well received by the local music community and our fans," Mr. Clauss said. "We can play a song hundreds of times, but at times it feels like a new song because we draw our energy from the crowd as much as they draw it from us."

Contact the writer: jpetro@timesshamrock.com

Nowhere Slow

Founded: 2002

Genre: Pop Rock

Members: Rick Gillette, guitar and lead vocals; William Clauss, bass guitar; John Canjar, vocals and lead guitar; Tommy Wynder, drums and percussion.

For fans of: Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews Band

Online: www.facebook.com/NowhereSlow and www.nowhereslow.com

Up next: Tomorrow until August 17, House of Blues

Myrtle Beach, S.C.; August 23, Dukes in Peckville; Friday, August 30, The Other Side in Freeland.

We welcome user discussion on our site, under the following guidelines:

To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.

Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.